Universal Utterings
for March 10, 2026
A Godcast
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03-10-2026 Matthew 18 v2135 Forgive Not Seven Times But Seventy-Seven Times
The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 18 Verse 21 thru 35
21 Then Peter approaching asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. 23 That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. 25 Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. 26 At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ 27 Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. 28 When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ 29 Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ 30 But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. 31 Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. 32 His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. 33 Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ 34 Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. 35 So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”
In Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus conveys a powerful message about the importance of forgiveness through the parable of the unforgiving servant. When Peter asks how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him, suggesting seven times, Jesus responds that forgiveness should extend not just seven times, but seventy-seven times—a limitless act of grace. This teaching is central to the Christian faith, emphasizing that true forgiveness is not merely a suggestion but a command.
The parable illustrates the stark contrast between the enormous debt forgiven by the king and the servant’s unwillingness to forgive a much smaller debt owed to him. This stark disparity highlights that we, too, are recipients of God’s immense mercy. Just as the king forgave the servant, we must extend that same grace to others, including family members, friends, and even foes who have wronged us.
Forgiveness is ultimately about freeing ourselves from the burden of bitterness and resentment. Holding onto grudges only serves to weigh us down, preventing us from experiencing genuine peace and joy. In the Lord’s Prayer, we are reminded to ask for forgiveness as we forgive those who trespass against us. This reciprocal relationship is crucial—our willingness to forgive others can directly impact our acceptance into the kingdom of heaven.
As believers, it is essential to reflect on our own hearts. Are we harboring unforgiveness toward someone close to us or even someone we consider an enemy? Jesus assures us that the requirement for entering the kingdom of heaven is rooted in our willingness to forgive. Let us make a conscious choice to forgive from the heart, to heal our relationships, and to embody the love that Christ so selflessly demonstrated. Amen.
Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.
At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.
I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20
03-10-2026 Matthew 18 v2135
**Forgive Not Seven Times But Seventy-Seven Times**
In shadowed doubt, bold Peter spoke,
“How often should I forgive, when hearts are broke?”
“Seven times?” he asked, with hope unsealed,
“Seventy-seven,” Christ’s grace revealed.
In a land where mercy weaves its thread,
A servant knelt, burdened, filled with dread.
“Master,” he cried, “my debt’s far too great,
Spare me this fate, please, don’t seal my fate.”
The master, with heart of compassion, replied,
“Your debt is forgiven; all sorrow set aside.”
In the light of this grace, the servant took flight,
Yet soon forgot kindness, turned wrong into slight.
A fellow servant, with debt small in plight,
Asked for compassion, but met with a fight.
“Pay what you owe!” echoed cold in the air,
No mercy bestowed, no kindness to share.
When word reached the master of this dismay,
His heart felt the weight of betrayal’s cruel play.
“Did I not forgive you, an ocean of sin?
Yet you share no grace, where love should begin.”
In darkness, he spoke, with authority strong,
“Throw him to the jail, where justice belongs.
For those who know mercy, yet refusal to give,
Shall find that their hearts can hardly forgive.”
So remember, dear friend, the lesson they teach:
In mercy, we find the love we can reach.
Forgive as you’re forgiven, let kindness be known,
For in every act of grace, true hearts have grown. Amen.
© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins
March 10, 2026 @ 04:57 AM EST
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